Field of the invention:
The invention generally relates to handle-bar switch console for use in automotive
applications such as two-wheelers, three wheelers, etc. More particularly, the invention
relates to illuminated handle-bar switch console with provisions for illuminating the symbols.
Background of the Invention:
It is customary to provide in a two-wheeler or a three wheeler such as a motor-cycle a handlebar
switch console which contains a series of switches for operating various electrical
equipments provided in the vehicle such as a horn, a head-light, a blinker, a pass switch, an
ignition ON-OFF switch, etc.
For the purposes of enhancing the operability of the switches at night or at low light
conditions, it is customary to provide illumination in the handle-bar switch console wherein
appropriate symbols get illuminated by appropriately provided LEDs within the console.
However, construction of such illuminated hand-bar switch console is complicated, have
large number of parts within thereby making the cost of the product high. Therefore, there is
a need felt to provide alternative constructions for the illuminated hand-bar switch console
that address the aforesaid disadvantages.
Summary of the Invention:
Accordingly, the present invention provides an illuminated handle-bar switch console
comprising: a console part; an indicator comprising a lens element molded at predetermined
location of the console part; a mounting structure placed in abutting relation with the lens
element; and an illumination source received by the mounting structure for illuminating the
lens element.
The present invention also provides a method for preparing a handle bar illumination switch
console, comprising: locating an indicator comprising a lens element in a mold corresponding
to a console part; forming the console part; placing a mounting structure in abutting relation
with the lens element; and placing an illumination source within the mounting structure for
illuminating the lens element.
From the above it can be observed that the illuminated handle-bar switch console comprises
less number of parts which have to be physically assembled. Because the lens element is
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moulded into the console part, the number of parts requiring assembling step is reduced, a
better finished product is obtained, and other advantages associated therewith are realized.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular
description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof,
which is illustrated in the appended figures. It is appreciated that these figures depict only
typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its
scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail
with the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES:
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better
understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the
accompanying figures in which like characters represent like parts throughout the figures,
wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates an overall view of the handle-bar switch console for use in automotive
application;
Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of a console part moulded with the indicators having the
lens element in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 3 illustrates an internal view of the console part which is obtained after moulding the
indicator having the lens element;
Figure 4 illustrates a detailed construction of the lens element and a first mechanism for
placing the mounting structure in abutting relation with the lens element;
Figure 5 illustrates a second mechanism for placing the mounting structure in abutting
relation with the lens element; and
Figure 6 illustrates a detailed construction of the lens element and a third mechanism for
placing the mounting structure in abutting relationship with lens element.
Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for
simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow
charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve
understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction
of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the
figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that
are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure
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the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having
benefit of the description herein.
Detailed Description:
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference
will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be
used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of
the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated
system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein
being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention
relates.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the
following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not
intended to be restrictive thereof.
Reference throughout this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect” or similar language
means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,
appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar
language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same
embodiment.
The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a
non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not
include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such
process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or
components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the
existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other
components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or
additional structures or additional components.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same
meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention
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belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not
intended to be limiting.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the
accompanying figures.
Referring to figure 1, there is illustrated an overall view of an illuminated handle-bar switch
console (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the
illuminated handle-bar switch console comprises a console part (101). The console part (101)
includes provisions for accommodating the various switches (102). The switches are
preferably accommodated in an internal portion defined by the console part (101) and
operable knobs of the switches protrude outside the console part (101) so as to be operable by
a user. In close proximity of each switch, an indicator (103) is placed which indicate as to the
function reliable upon actuation of the switch. The indicator (103) can be formed as a single
component for example, a lens element (not visible in figure 1) which is appropriately shaded
at a front side or can be formed of two components for example, a transparent lens element
and a shaded element. If the indicator is formed of a single element in one embodiment, the
symbols may be formed on the lens by etching.
Now referring to figure 2, there is illustrated an exploded view of a console part (101)
moulded with the indicators. For the purposes of ease of illustration, multiple indicators
including a blinker indicator (201), a high-low beam indicator (202) and a pass beam
indicator (203) have been shown. For the purposes of illustrating various embodiments, the
blinker indicator (201) is shown as having been formed of two components i.e. a transparent
lens element (204) and a shaded element (205) while the high-low beam indicator (202) and
the pass beam indicator (203) are shown as having been formed by a lens element, which are
appropriately shaded at a front side. Now referring to figure 3, there is illustrated an internal
view of the console part which is obtained after moulding the lens elements.
Although not illustrated in figure 3, a mounting structure is placed in abutting relation with
the lens element, wherein the mounting structure is adapted to receive an illumination source
for illuminating the lens element. The above feature can be attained by different constructions
some of which are described in detail in the following paragraphs with reference to figures.
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Now referring to figure 4, in one embodiment, the lens element (206) can be in the form of an
open box type structure (401) and is adapted for receiving a mounting structure (402) having
an illumination source (403). In one embodiment of the invention, the open box-type
structure (401) includes provision(s) (404) for securely retaining the mounting structure
(402).
It can be seen from figures 4, that the illumination source (403) can be provided on a printed
circuit board (405) and the printed circuit board can be received by the mounting structure
(402). The aforesaid construction provides for structural integrity, strength, ease of
assembling, etc.
In an alternative embodiment, which is shown in figure 5, the console part (101) surrounding
the lens element (206) is provided with a plurality of vertical walls (501, 502). The plurality
of vertical walls is adapted to receive the mounting structure (402) and at least one of the
plurality of vertical walls includes provision for securely retaining the mounting structure
(402). Although not illustrated, the illumination source can be provided on a printed circuit
board and the printed circuit board can be received by the mounting structure (402).
In an alternative embodiment as illustrated in figure 6, the lens element (206) is in the form of
an open-box type construction and is adapted for receiving the mounting structure (402)
having an illumination source (403) provided on the printed circuit board.
The lateral walls of the lens element is provided with a first wall (601) and a second wall
(602) that are spaced apart from each other to define a cavity there-between and the lateral
walls of the mounting structure (402) is provided with a protrusion that can be received by
the cavity and secured by chemical process such as by use of adhesive or by other securing
process such as ultrasonic welding, hot pressing etc.
Now coming to the process of preparing a handle bar illumination switch console as
described above, the process comprises the steps of: locating an indicator comprising a lens
element in a mold corresponding to a console part; forming the console part; placing a
mounting structure in abutting relation with the lens element; and placing an illumination
source within the mounting structure for illuminating the lens element.
In an aspect of the invention, the indicator comprising the lens can be sandwiched or
encapsulated between two layers of base polymer forming the console part.
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From the above, it can be seen that the number of parts involved in the illuminated handle-bar
switch console is substantially less. Also, the number of parts that require assembling is
furthermore less than the number of total parts. This allows for the ease of manufacturing,
reduction in time of manufacturing, reducing the cost of manufacturing and various other
technical and commercial advantages.
While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on
account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various
working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive
concept as taught herein.
The figures and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the
art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a
single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple
functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.
For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the
manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be
implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed.
Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the
other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.
Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences
in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of embodiments is at
least as broad as given by the following claims.

WE CLAIM:
1. A handle bar illumination switch console comprising:
• a console part;
• an indicator comprising a lens element, the indicator being molded at
predetermined location of the console part;
• a mounting structure placed in abutting relation with the lens element; and
• an illumination source received by the mounting structure for illuminating the
lens element.
2. The handle bar illumination switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lens element is
in the form of a open box-type structure adapted to receive the mounting structure.
3. The handle bar illumination switch as claimed in claim 2, wherein the open box-type
structure includes provision(s) for securely retaining the mounting structure.
4. The handle bar illumination switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the console part
surrounding the lens element is provided with a plurality of vertical wall.
5. The handle bar illumination switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of
vertical walls are adapted to receive the mounting structure.
6. The handle bar illumination switch as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least one of the
plurality of vertical walls includes a provisions for securely retaining the mounting
structure.
7. The handle bar illumination switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the illumination
source is provided on a printed circuit board.
8. The handle bar illumination switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the printed circuit
board is received by the mounting structure.
9. A method for preparing a handle bar illumination switch console, comprising:
• locating an indicator comprising a lens element in a mold corresponding to a
console part;
• forming the console part;
• placing a mounting structure in abutting relation with the lens element; and
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• placing an illumination source within the mounting structure for illuminating
the lens element.